Merry Christmas, all. It still is quiet, as I wait for the children to wake up and open their presents. This will be the last Christmas with all the children in the house . . . our oldest daughter leaves for the Navy in a few months. And the twins are rapidly leaving childhood behind and becoming full fledged teenagers. If you have children, enjoy the time you're given to have them with you. It goes fast.

Boy and a girl. He (they) just got an x-box 360. I've been holding out against too many electronic games, but resistance is futile. Well, at least he was very excited, and his first question on NCAA football 2012 was, "is Denard on it?"

But I love hearing about others kids, and twins especially! I also REALLY limit the electronics. I have one drawn to technology (the computer mostly), and the other just loves books, drawing and sports. We have a Wii because I won it at work, but have played it about 4 times over the past 3-4 years. They do get real mood changes with too much "screen time". They even notice it when I've pointed it out. So while they get computer time for school projects, their tv is limited to occasional Tom and Jerry cartoons on YouTube, and shows on animal planet. Oh, and of ourselves they watch Michigan football, but that has helped make them very well rounded(read: brainwashed).

I've been awake for two hours watching the sun rise over the lake. A rare late start this Christmas due to some overnight illness with the kids- nothing serious. I just hope they let me play with the new iPads, and give me their hand- me- down Mac laptops. No tech debates this blessed day, please.

Congratulations! My uncle is the only one who helped capture what the difference between being married and single. He said "your life will change forever." Then he added, "I'm not saying it will be better or worse, just different." I think it was the vagueness that helped it to ring true for me.

There is no Santa! My kids may just begin to question it, thus the wavering on the "true belief". My kids know that Santa doesnt leave gifts for those non believers..so, that may be part of your coal problem!

I know I believe in Santa because every Christmas I work my ass off for days before Christmas and into the night on Christmas Eve, only to collapse when it over.

Hope everyone is having a good time with people you care about and enjoying their morning.

We just finished opening presents here and are now in the process of making the traditional breakfast (crepes) and hanging out for the day. Also, I'm going to have an appetizer of bacon spread with roquefort and topped with dates for the second time this break. It's pretty much the single greatest thing ever invented.

I don't really know. A friend's wife made it at a house warming party I was at a year or so ago. If I knew how to cook like a grown up, I'd learn how to make it myself. As for now, I'll stick to making Buffalo Chicken Dip, it's about the extent of cooking ability.

From my family to you all, happy holidays. As a a father of 2 Im especially hoping for a any sort of happiness for the families of Newtown. This effects me everyday I drop my little girl off at pre school. I hope these families can come together at this time and find some sort of solice. I'm not religious but you are all in my thoughts daily.